WHAT IS A COMPOSITE RESIN (WHITE FILLING)?
A composite resin is a tooth-colored plastic mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide). Introduced in the 1960s, dental composites were confined to the front teeth because they were not strong enough to withstand the pressure and wear generated by the back teeth. Since then, composites have been significantly improved and can be successfully placed in the back teeth as well. Composites are not only used to restore decayed areas, but are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.
HOW IS A COMPOSITE PLACED?
Following preparation, the dentist places the composite in layers, using a light specialized to harden each layer. When the process is finished, the dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth. The dentist then polishes the composite to prevent staining and early wear.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PLACE A COMPOSITE?
It takes the dentist about 10-20 minutes longer to place a composite than a silver filling. Placement time depends on the size and location of the cavity- the larger the size, the longer it will take. What is the cost? Prices vary, but composites average about one-and-a-half to two times the price of a silver filling. Most dental insurance plans cover the cost of the composite up to the price of a silver filling, with the patient paying the difference. As composites continue to improve, insurance companies are more likely to increase their coverage of composites. What are the advantages of composites? Esthetics are the main advantage, since dentists can blend shades to create a color nearly identical to that of the actual tooth. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes. What are the disadvantages? After receiving a composite, a patient may experience post-operative sensitivity. Also, the shade of the composite can change slightly if the patient drinks tea, coffee or other staining foods. The dentist can put a clear plastic coating over the composite to prevent the color from changing if a patient is particularly concerned about tooth color. Composites tend to wear out sooner than silver fillings in larger cavities, although they hold up as well in small cavities.
HOW LONG DO FILLINGS LAST?
Giving definite and accurate answers in dentistry is hard. There are so many variables to take into account that when someone asks me a question like, “How long will my filling last?” it’s almost impossible to give a good answer. The real answer is…it depends. It depends on how big the filling is, how much decay was in the tooth before the filling was put in, and how well you are taking care of that filling. In general, a small filling will last longer than a large filling. So getting cavities fixed when they are very small means the filling will probably last a lot longer than waiting until the cavity gets very large and you need a large filling. One of the most common reasons that fillings need to be replaced is getting a cavity underneath an old filling. This can happen if food and plaque is not getting cleaned off the tooth and filling regularly, or you have a lot of sugar in your diet. This causes the decay to start forming again and in dental jargon it’s called recurrent decay. Today’s video goes into more detail about how long fillings last and why sometimes a filling is not the best option.
DO I NEED TO HAVE MY SILVER FILLINGS REPLACED?
Silver fillings are an interesting dilemma in dentistry. For many years they were the best material we had available to place into a tooth after removing a cavity. Good thing the times have changed and our technologies have improved so much! The tooth colored filling materials we use today are very effective, last a long time, and look much better. The debate about mercury in silver fillings is beyond the scope of this video. There are strong beliefs on both sides of that argument and I don’t think I can change your mind if you feel strongly one way or another. What I want to talk about today is what happens to a tooth that has had a silver filling for many years. A silver filling is made of metal. Metal expands and contracts with temperature changes. So every time you have something hot or cold to drink, your old silver filling is expanding and contracting a little bit. Over time this is kind of like ice which forms in the cracks of a sidewalk. If you’re from the north like Dr. Kamodia then you know how much damage ice can cause to roads and sidewalks over time. The same thing is happening to your tooth with a silver filling and the cracks that form can create some serious problems if nothing is done. Once cracks start to be visible around a filling I often recommend the silver filling be replaced. If the cracks are very large or very deep, sometimes a filling isn’t enough and the tooth may actually need a crown to prevent it from breaking into pieces.